Sparkflight Studios

© Sparkflight Studios With great excitement, Sparkflight Studios is pleased to announce that we have relocated to a new office space in Henderson!  The new office includes: increased square footage, separate conference room with future audio-visual set-up, and warehouse space for ideation, mock-up, and build-outs to support our creative projects as artists and architects. A special thank you to College H.U.N.K.S. for excellent and professional service (Eulalio, Jordan, and Quincy). Enjoy the photo collages from the momentous day, and early shots of the new space! © Sparkflight Studios Check back soon for more images when we're all settled-in. Please note that our mailing address has remained the same:  1489 W Warm Springs Rd, Ste 110 Henderson, NV 89014 Drop-off times: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Mon - Fri

Although we wish to again be with one another in the same physical space, we have learned to adapt and rethink our approach to gathering virtually. As architects and problem-solvers, we look to our toolkit to provide means for visualizing and analyzing three-dimensional space with real-time feedback for our clients. In this post, we'll introduce a few of our tools illustrating how Sparkflight Studios is navigating architectural practice in a virtual environment. Zoom This video conferencing platform is well known, and for good reason. We use Zoom on a daily basis, both internally and with our consultants and clients. It's a reliable tool with features that allow for productive and engaging meetings. We find that the annotate and whiteboard options are especially useful when communicating ideas graphically. Often, we screen-share our 3D BIM model and annotate over floor plans to work through problems, and imagine new solutions. BIMx BIMx is a unique tool to interactively present...

Sparkflight Studios is now certified for WBE and WOSB under the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), which means we have an advocate for access, capacity development, recognition, and community support to facilitate real-time business opportunities. WBENC also offers training that helps grow our capacity. WBENC is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs. The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved WBENC as a Third Party Certifier for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification as part of the SBA's WOSB Federal Contracting Program.  WBENC President and CEO, Pamela Prince-Eason, explains the importance of WBENC and WOSB certification to women's business growth in this short video; link here .

Sparkflight Studios is open for business and committed to our community and team! Through this challenging time, we continue to use our creative resources, attention to detail, and space planning expertise to provide our clients with exceptional project delivery and thoughtful spaces. As architects, we are always looking for tools to streamline the design process and communicate our ideas. In our current situation, we’ve turned to cyberspace for real-time client feedback, where we can share three-dimensional models and create annotated sketch overlays. Look for future posts on our digital toolkit and unique design capabilities.  The pandemic has changed the way we conduct business. It has also had a profound impact on our physical environment and public health. At Sparkflight Studios, we can consult and create solutions for evolving business practices in your restaurant or office space. Our space planning expertise is a useful tool to reevaluate floor plans through an epidemiologic...

As part of Nevada’s Unified Certification Program (UCP), Sparkflight Studios is recertified as both a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). Yes, that’s quite a lot of acronyms! So what does it mean? The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program “is all about securing equal opportunity in business. Funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the program helps businesses classified as small, woman-owned, or disadvantaged to compete in a fair environment right alongside larger corporations”. (NDOT DBE website) Sparkflight Studios is grateful to be a recertified vendor with NDOT. We bring our extensive expertise in architectural design and construction to every project. Our abilities can contribute in other ways outside of a traditional architecture firm, such as unique signage or large-format graphics and public art-- including workshops, environmental furniture, presentati...

Sparkflight Studios in virtual mode! Though we find ourselves in challenging times, we are reminded of all the beautiful ways in which we honor one another. Washing our hands and covering our sneezes have become small acts of kindness. We are growing resilient in our steadfast ways to help one another. Here at Sparkflight Studios, we too are doing our part to slow the spread of the virus.  As the construction industry is an essential part of infrastructure and services, we will remain open for business. Rest assured that the Sparkflight team is working safely from home, meeting regularly as a team, and all our projects are continuing to move forward. We are quite tech-savvy, so it is almost business as usual. We can consult remotely if and when the need arises. In the sincere effort to responsibly bring our services to you, we have enacted the following protocols to avoid any unnecessary complications or disruptions: We respectfully request access to the Sparkflig...

The Parks at Walter Reed Our mission at Sparkflight Studios is to "design for humans," to create spaces for our neighbors that produce positive social impact. To that end, we are actively pursuing and passionate about mixed-use, multi-family affordable housing projects. These types of projects encompass what it means to truly design for the betterment of our communities. By developing an area that is a self-sustaining business and residential destination not totally reliant on cars/parking for its clientele, we are providing much-needed affordable housing while supporting economic development by bringing businesses a built-in customer base. These projects are starting to be built across the country, with promising results. According to the Multi-Housing News website : "Developers from market-rate to affordable housing are identifying ways to create mixed-income and mixed-use developments that promote diversity, equity and integration." One such project is th...

Rendering of the proposed mixed-use site In September, we introduced Sparkflight Studios' involvement in the 2019 AIA Blueprint for Better Housing , a mission to solve housing needs in our community. Anne was invited to be the Team Coordinator of the Multi-Family Mixed-Use group. She worked diligently with her team and alongside the charrette participants and members of the local community to create a design that was presented to AIA Las Vegas in October. The team proposed a 381,000-SF mixed-use, mixed-income development on the west side of Martin Luther King Boulevard, south of Lake Mead Boulevard, in the 89106 zip code. The team chose this site due to the economic disparity between this zip code and the rest of our city, with a diaspora of community members seeking opportunity elsewhere. This community has an intense desire to preserve its heritage and build a vibrant future for its children; Anne and the rest of the dedicated charrette team worked hard to come up with u...

Just when vacation mindset was kicking in this year, we got to exercise our brains instead.  June was full of learning opportunities with the AIA National Convention and Graphisoft Archicad's international conference both here in Vegas.  There were lectures, showrooms, technical trainings, and of course networking. Our team especially enjoyed the Archicad Key Client Conference! We learned new software tips, met fellow users from across the globe, and saw previews of where the tool is heading.  The  BIMx viewer and construction tool continues to get better, displaying our 2D drawings with the model to improve the construction team's understanding of design intent and aiding coordination.  It's all good--especially the interoperability with Rhino for modeling.  And don't forget the cool T-shirts. We're fans!!

Anne was featured as the member spotlight in the April 2015 issue of AIA Las Vegas' Forum newsletter. Check out the full issue on the AIA Las Vegas website , or read a bit here: I AM A MEMBER OF AIA BECAUSE ….I am a member because it is crucial to be part of an organization that binds together our design community and informs the public about what design professionals do. The AIA’s programs, educational opportunities, and exposure to other professionals in the field have been a benefit. I see AIA Las Vegas as valuable to both developing and established design professionals. Biography: I am an architect, graphic artist, wife, and mother. The process of juggling these roles contributes to who I am and how our firm approaches architecture. We listen to our clients to learn what is important to them, and strive to balance sustainability, beauty, and function. In-house, mentoring and growing talent is a privilege. On a weekly basis, our office takes time to seek design inspira...

Congratulations to Lisa Yao and the Fresh Fruit Smoothie restaurant opening!  We wish her much success!  Find them on Yelp* and treat yourself a fresh delicious smoothie--no powders used here. This approximately 770 SF tenant improvement includes multiple food preparation areas, employee break area, restroom and custom shelving.  Our services included design, as-built drawings, and strategic code analysis.

Join us Wednesday, May 22 from 2:30pm - 4:00pm as the Henderson Chamber of Commerce holds a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate our new office space.  As proud to be members of this active and community-focused organization, we're excited to grow our business in 2013! We'll be hosting an Open House following the ceremony.  Light refreshments will be served in the conference room. Our office is on the south side of Warm Springs Road between Stephanie and Arroyo Grande at 1489 W. Warm Springs Road, Suite 110,  Henderson NV 89014. Click here for a map and directions. Anne Johnson, AIA is an architecture and graphics studio focused on integrating sustainable practices into civic, commercial, interiors, residential, and graphic projects. Services include design and LEED consulting.  Our Las Vegas office has been in operation since 2004, and we've proudly called Henderson home since 2009.

Our green office status is an ever-evolving process.   It’s fun and challenging to discover new ways to create more sustainability and reduce waste. We have taken our inspiration from the Harvard University Office for Sustainability (HUOS) , which created Leaf level checklists for “Green Office” recognition for its colleges and departments.   The concepts and procedures can be adapted by any size business to develop practices that reduce office resource consumption while boosting the bottom line in small and large ways.   At Anne Johnson, AIA , we are currently pursuing HUOS Leaf Three, which incorporates reviewing all actions from Leafs One and Two to keep us on track.   To participate at Leaf Three level, we have updated our employee manual to include information about our office environmental policies and goals.   We have also established a composting program in our office as part of our commitment to sustainability.   Routinely, we revisit o...

Anne Johnson, AIA challenged ourselves to green our office more in 2011.  We are using Harvard’s green office program to evaluate how we are doing in nine impact areas.  The process involves four leaves, or levels, of discovery and commitment to green office practices.  The following is our Leaf One: [1. Energy] We shut off computers and the lights when not in use, saving energy and cost. ( Tips & Tricks HQ ) [2. Recycling] Easy to access bins encourage staff to reduce, reuse, and recycle paper and plastic goods. We are creative with repurposing and reusing office furniture, including our shared office and conference space. [3. Waste Reduction] E-mails and phones are our primary contact tools.  To further reduce waste production, we limit the use of hard-copy files. We print or copy on both sides of a page whenever possible, and keep a pile of reusable scrap paper near our printer. [4. Publication] For marketing publications, we use an e-newsletter...

Over the remainder of 2011, we're reviewing sustainable practices in our office.  Although accustomed to many "green" habits, we've never evaluated our office's process and progress.    Many of you have also adopted some of these first steps of greening:  turning off equipment and lights not in use, recycling, printing on both sides of paper, and using teleconferencing whenever possible.  What are areas for improvement? Using Harvard’s green office program as a basis, we’re using checklists in nine impact categories to discover how we can grow greener.   You’re invited to join us in this year of discovery.   Please post and share your experience too!

Pepsi's Refresh Project - Good Idea grant could have a local recipient in Greener Vegas .  Your vote can make the difference. Incorporated in 2007 by Zachary Delbex-Smith, the company works to enable business and educate community about the possibilities of repurposing reusable materials.  After years of working in the convention industry, Greener Vegas' founder became convinced that there was a way to keep much of the post-show debris out of the landfill. His vision has evolved into a business that diverts these resources into the hands of businesses, nonprofits, schools, theater groups, community programs, artists, and manufacturers. Over 50% of the $250,000 grant would go to staffing.  That's jobs for Las Vegans!   Here are the goals of " What’s Waste in Vegas, Stays in Vegas!" : Reduce the carbon foot-print of the convention industry. Divert reusable items into community, creating a closed loop system. Create sustainable “green” jobs for vets ...

Although the NV Energy rebate window for photovoltaics (PV) has closed*, Southern Nevada residents can still pursue green energy generation through wind power.  Local codes are still evolving to encourage residential and large-scale wind power installations.  Use the In My Backyard (IMBY) tool to estimate how much power your property can produce with PV or wind turbines.  Then contact a licensed contractor for more information.   Be aware that there are local ordinances governing the installation of wind turbines.  For example, in the City of Las Vegas, “small wind energy systems” are only allowed in certain residential districts zoned R-A, R-E and R-D and up to 100kW.  Check out Wind Power Nevada for some more background on current state and local laws. WindGenerations and HydroGenerations are still accepting applications.  NV Energy is also now accepting more options for wind generators.  See their website for a listing of accepte...

Our firm is pleased to announce Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification with the Nevada Unified Certification Program.  Our number is NV01238UCPN.  This follows an application and vetting process administered by NDOT. This new status allows Anne Johnson, AIA to use the DBE certification to bid as a prime or subcontractor on projects with the Nevada Unified Certification Program (UCP).  The Nevada UCP is comprised of the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Commissions (RTC) for Washoe and Clark Counties and the Reno/Tahoe and McCarran Airports. This latest certification is in addition to our self-certified status as a woman owned business with the Federal Government's Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA).  [8/2012 update: CCR & ORCA have migrated to www.SAM.gov .  Enter CAGE code 5NN25 (AJA) 8DPZ1 (SFS)] Let us know how we can partner with ...

Article by Anne exploring current trends in green building, commercial retrofits, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funding, Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC), and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification: "Real estate and construction markets are experiencing a growing interconnection of green building and our economy. “Show me the money!” now requires a green edge. The United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) “Green Jobs Study” projects over 7.9 million jobs and $396 billion in labor earnings from green construction for 2009 through 2013. This is encouraging for our national and regional economic recovery...Recent studies and our own hands-on experience identify the following trends for 2010 and beyond: • Green building growth led by existing building operations and tenant improvements • Increased renewable energy production and energy conservation retrofits with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ...

The Las Vegas Ward 5 Chamber of Commerce & Green Talk Radio will be celebrating Women's History Month by acknowledging women who have made significant strides in the green economy. To check out these dynamic women see the upcoming "green" edition of the Las Vegas Uptown News. Honorees will be announced on March 18, 2010, 12:30 p.m. at La Scala's Restaurant during Green Talk Radio's "Lunch and Learn." UPDATE...the honorees are: Richann Bender - Exec Dir California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission Anne M. Johnson - Architect Rosalind Brooks - Tonopah Community Garden Cindy Ortega - Sr VP MGM Mirage Energy and Environmental Services Division Emily Covelli - DECOLights Emily Huffman - Energy Educator for NV Energy Betty Wolfe - Wolfe Drop Box Services Su Phelps- Lakewood Recycling Julie Johnson - Employer Resource Specialist, Las Vegas Clark County Urban League